Suzanne Scavone, a teen-age babysitter accused of murdering a 7-month-old girl left in her care, was put on probation Thursday after the baby`s parents told a Broward Circuit Court judge they were ready to forgive the girl.

``We agree that Suzanne needs a great deal of help,`` said Andrew Karas of Coral Springs, whose infant daughter, Ashleah, died Sept. 1, 1984, of multiple injuries at Miami Children`s Hospital. ``We`re willing to give her a second chance.``

``We`ve already seen one life wasted,`` Marie Karas said in a faltering voice, referring to her daughter. ``I can`t see wasting another one.``

Scavone, 14, also of Coral Springs, showed no emotion as she pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter. She was sentenced by Circuit Judge Harry Hinckley to probation until she turns 21 in January 1992. As a condition of probation she must complete a live-in counseling program run by Outreach Broward.

Scavone`s stepmother, Micki, remained calm throughout the hourlong hearing but fainted to the courtroom floor as soon as it ended. Scavone`s father, Al, held his arm under his wife`s head and stroked her cheeks while she lay unconscious for about 20 seconds.

Scavone, an eighth-grader at Coral Springs Middle School, was indicted in September 1984 on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. She had been free on $10,000 bail since October last year.

The willingness of the Karas family to accept the plea-bargain agreement to a lesser charge surprised even the judge.

``I particularly appreciate your help. It was highly unusual,`` Hinckley told the Karases after the hearing.

Prosecutor Kelly Hancock said the main reason the case was resolved with the plea agreement was because the Karas family wanted an alternative to jail for Scavone.

``They felt the live-in program was the best one and would fit her needs best,`` he said. ``It`s extremely fair to both sides. It gives her a chance to be helped.``

Bogenschutz opened Thursday`s hearing by saying Scavone was ready to withdraw her original plea of innocent. He said she would plead no contest to manslaughter.

The judge, however, said Scavone would have to plead guilty to the reduced charge or go to trial. Scavone pleaded guilty after a 20-minute conference with her parents and attorney.

Scavone will attend a live-in counseling unit run by Outreach Broward, which opens Feb. 1, for at least nine months but no longer than two years. She will receive individual and group therapy, and her parents will have to participate in family therapy, Hinckley said.

If she violates the probation terms, which include completing the counseling program and not being alone with a child under 5, Scavone will face a 15-year prison term, Hinckley said.